Lupinus plant named &#39;Salmon Star&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Salmon Star’ is a new variety of  Lupinus hybridus  that exhibits numerous and large-shaped salmon-colored flowers.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Lupinus hybridus

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Salmon Star’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Lupinus hybridus known by the varietal name ‘Salmon Star’. The new variety was developed in Great Britain. The new variety is a result of cross breeding Russell Hybrid Lupinus Seedling #WCL 045/96 (female parent) (unpatented) and an unknown Lupinus male parent (unpatented). The purpose of the breeding program was to develop a cultivar that exhibited improved color, habit, and bloom form from other Lupinus varieties known to the breeder. The new variety is similar in growth habit to its female parent, but differs in flower color. The new variety differs from Lupinus hybridus ‘The Pages’ in flower color, flower closeness on the spike, and growth habit. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by basal cuttings/tissue culture in Great Britain. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive asexual propagations. Characteristics that distinguish the new variety from others known to the breeder include:

-   -   Clear and intense flower color;     -   Flower form—papilionaceous, with large flowers packed closely on         the flower spike; and     -   Vigorous growth habit.

The new variety was grown in open soil with additional organic fertilizer applied. The new variety initiates and develops roots in 21 days at 15° C. A finished and flowering plant is produced in 36 weeks in a 21 cm container. The new variety exhibits sparse, but thick roots, that exhibit some branching.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a photographic image of the flower spike and foliage of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a photograph image of the new variety showing the flower spike and leaves; and

FIG. 3 is a close-up photograph of the petals of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected by asexual reproductions carried out in Great Britain. The color readings were taken outside under natural daylight. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Form: Mounded and symmetrical. -   Stem:     -   -   Diameter.—14 mm.         -   Color.—Between 144B and 144C.         -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.         -   Pubescence.—Slight to medium. -   Height: 70-80 cm. -   Plant diameter: 60 cm. -   Vigor: Good. -   Branching habit: Free. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Diameter.—8-10 mm.         -   Internode length.—4.5 cm.         -   Texture.—Lightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Color.—Between 144B and 144C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Ascending spiral.         -   Length of leaf stalk.—Basal foliage: 24 cm. Stem foliage: 17             cm.         -   Size of leaf (overall).—Length: 15 cm. Width: 14.5 cm.         -   Leaflets.—Shape of leaflet: Oblanceolate. Number: 13. Width:             2.6 cm Length: 7.5 cm. Shape of apex: Acute. Shape of base:             Cuneate. Aspect: Horizontal presentation. Margin type:             Smooth; entire. Pubescence: Upper surface: None present.             Lower surface: Slight. Color: Young leaflet: Upper surface:             137D. Lower surface: 144A. Mature leaflet: Upper surface:             137A. Lower surface: 137C. Petiole: Shape: Flattened and             round. Length: Basal leaf: 24 cm. Stem leaf: 21 cm.             Diameter: 5 mm. Color: Varies between 144B and 144C.             Venation: Central; mid-rib; colored the same as the             leaflets.

FLOWER

-   Bud (described when buds where just beginning to open):     -   -   Shape.—Napiform.         -   Diameter.—9 mm.         -   Length.—18 mm.         -   Color.—39C, flushed with 54A. -   Natural flowering season: May through July in The Netherlands. -   Flower type and habit: Spike.     -   -   Number of flowers per spike.—178.         -   Length of spike.—44 cm.         -   Diameter of spike.—11.2 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Form.—Zygomorphic.         -   Petals.—Standard Petals: Number: 2 — fused. Length: 20 mm.             Width: 12 mm. Shape: Ovate. Aspect: Parallel to spike.             Margin: Smooth and entire. Wing Petals: Number: 2. Length:             20 mm. Width: 14 mm. Shape: Ovoid to kidney-shaped. Aspect:             Slightly tilted upward. Margin: Smooth and entire. Keel             Petals: Number: 2 — fused. Length: 18 mm. Width: 8 mm.             Shape: Lingulate. Aspect: Located within wing petals and             pointing upwards. Margin: Smooth and entire. Texture and             appearance: Smooth and satin-like. Standard Petal color:             When opening: Upper surface: 28D, with an intense 51A flush.             Lower surface: 28D. Fully opened: Upper surface: 28D, with             flushes of 51A and between 39A and 39B. Lower surface: 28D.             Wing Petal color: When opening: Both surfaces: 28D. Fully             opened: Both surfaces: 28D. Keel Petal color: When opening:             Both surfaces: 29C. Fully opened: Both surfaces: 29C. Keel             tip color: 53C.         -   Throat (visible when the standard petals are parted from the             keel petals).—Color: 4D. Texture: Smooth and satin-like. -   Calyx:     -   -   Form.—Two unequal halves.         -   Length.—8 mm.         -   Diameter.—16 mm.         -   Sepal shape.—Elliptic.         -   Sepal margin.—Smooth and entire.         -   Sepal texture.—Smooth with slight pubescence.         -   Sepal size.—Length: 8 mm. Width: 5 mm.         -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: Varies between 149C and 149D.             Lower surface: Varies between 149C and 149D. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Disease resistance/susceptibility: Susceptible to powdery mildew. -   Temperature tolerance: Medium to good. -   Lasting quality: Medium to good.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number (per flower).—There are two groups. A first group             with 6 stamens and a second group with 4 stamens.         -   Filaments.—Length: First group: 4 mm. Second group: 9 mm.             Fused: Yes.         -   Anthers.—Shape: First group: Pencil-like. Second group:             Arrow-like. Length: First group: 2 mm. Second group: 0.5 mm.             Color: First group: 169B. Second group: 23A.         -   Pollen.—Color: 23A. Amount: Plentiful. -   Pistils:     -   -   Length.—12 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 12 mm. Color: 150C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Spherical. Color: 150C. -   Seed/fruit production:     -   -   Description of conditions when produced.—Produced freely.         -   Color.—Varies between 165A and 165B.         -   Size.—1.0 mm.         -   Number.—Approximately 2000 per plant. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Lupinus hybridus plant named ‘Salmon Star’ as is herein described and illustrated. 